League and orchestras relaunch campaign to support in-school music education

September 11, 2018

Just in time to celebrate National Arts in Education Week, the League of American Orchestras has updated and relaunched "Orchestras Support In-School Music Education," a statement of common cause first drafted in 2007 with input from more than 50 orchestras and revised in 2018. The statement--then and now--is a collective opportunity for orchestras to take local, community-specific action to improve access to music education in schools.

Orchestras are civic-minded community-based organizations, and together we can help improve access to the benefits of music learning by advocating for access to a complete in-school music education for all students. All orchestras--youth and adult; professional and community--are invited to join the national effort. Signing on is just the first step; we encourage orchestras to use the statement as a catalyst to start or renew conversations about supporting music education in the schools. Improving the education system requires support from the entire community--orchestras can do their part by mobilizing staff, musicians, trustees, and volunteers and by working with community partners toward common objectives.

Whether your orchestra is endorsing the statement for the first time or is among the 250 orchestras renewing a long-standing commitment, we welcome all to use the sign-on form to inform us about the advocacy work you are doing and to let us--and your community--know that you stand in support of increasing access to music education for all students.